Carbon Performance highlights breast cancer exercise research

Carbon Performance is using Breast Cancer Awareness Month to spotlight new and earlier studies linking exercise, including resistance training, with better cancer outcomes. The Nashville-based gym is also urging survivors to work with their care teams before starting or changing an exercise plan.

Why it matters: - Exercise is increasingly being studied as more than a way to manage fatigue and maintain strength during cancer treatment. - New findings suggest structured exercise may help lower recurrence risk and improve survival across cancer types. - Breast cancer research is also pointing to possible benefits from strength training, though the evidence is still developing.

What happened: - Carbon Performance, a multi-state gym focused on strength training, coaching and recovery, marked Breast Cancer Awareness Month by highlighting research on exercise and cancer outcomes. - The company said the research should encourage cancer survivors and the broader public to take regular exercise seriously as part of long-term health. - Brent Laffey, Carbon Performance co-founder and owner, said exercise matters far beyond appearance or athletics and may have significant long-term health benefits.

The details: - A September 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis found structured exercise was linked with a 17% lower rate of cancer recurrence, a new cancer or death. - The same review found a 26% lower risk of dying from cancer and a 23% improvement in overall survival. - A 2025 clinical trial found colon cancer patients who joined a structured exercise program after chemotherapy had higher five-year disease-free survival than those who received health education alone, 80.3% versus 73.9%. - Overall survival also favored the exercise group in that trial. - A January 2026 randomized trial found blood serum from breast cancer survivors after 12 weeks of resistance training or high-intensity interval training suppressed breast cancer cell growth in lab testing. - A 2024 systematic review found limited, preliminary evidence that muscle-strengthening exercise may be associated with lower recurrence and mortality among breast cancer survivors. - Victoria Laffey, Carbon Performance co-founder and owner, said individualized resistance training is one reason women should prioritize a comprehensive exercise program. - Laffey said regular resistance training is strongly associated with lower all-cause mortality and fewer deaths from certain chronic conditions, especially when paired with aerobic exercise.

Between the lines: - Carbon is tying its fitness message to medical research to reinforce its “More Than a Gym” brand position. - The company is also using the research to frame strength training as part of cancer recovery, not just general fitness. - The evidence cited is promising, but several findings remain early-stage or preliminary, especially for breast cancer-specific outcomes.

What's next: - Carbon Performance said people undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment should speak with their healthcare team before starting or changing an exercise program. - The company recommends medical clearance first because treatment type, surgery, bone health and other conditions can affect which exercises are safe. - Carbon Performance personal trainers said medically cleared patients should gradually work toward regular aerobic activity and muscle-strengthening exercise at least twice a week, in line with American Cancer Society guidance. - The company recommends professional training guidance, gradual progression, flexibility work, and rest when fatigue or symptoms increase. - Carbon also emphasized nutrition as a key part of maintaining or rebuilding muscle during and after cancer treatment. - Jerrad Tausz, Carbon Performance CEO, said the research adds purpose to the company’s mission and supports expansion into new U.S. markets. - Carbon Performance says it has locations in Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee, additional markets in Georgia and North Carolina, and a location opening soon in Utah. - More information is available in the company's announcement at Carbon Performance.